Sorry Ken - but maybe you just heard all of that wrong? The US have never claimed to have invented the electric car - it was a Scot that did that - and in 1840, not 1950. What they are now claiming is that they have a manufacturing process that will make it cheap enough to provide a
totally-electrically-driven car - that will also have petrol as backup - the "VW" of the modern age as it were.
The "hybrids" that the Japanese have put into production will one day be criticised so heavily - for the total cost of production in terms of energy, as well as for the cost of disposal. They do not run on electricity alone, but require the electric and petrol engines to cut-in-and-out as they go - alternating drive power. Also - don't ever be involved in a prang with a Prius - run! They are so incredibly toxic they will be the target of the bloody greenies soon enough - even though they are best buddies now.
Why is everyone so critical of the USA these days? Jeez! They've done just about everything else better, bigger and earlier than just about everyone.
